The legendary Melvins played a sold out show in the intimate setting of The Firebird in St. Louis.

The legendary Melvins came through St. Louis, playing to a sell out crowd at The Firebird. Front man Buzz Osborne wore his traditional muumuu–featuring large, day-glo paisley designs on a black background. The band came onstage one by one, each taking their spot before launching into a typical Melvins performance: strong on volume, intimate, yet with a feeling of odd detachment, and mesmerizing in its sound and precision.

The Melvins, as King Buzzo has described them, are like “George Clinton crossed with Captain Beefheart crossed with Lenny Bruce playing heavy metal.”

The 32-year-old band still attracts fans of all ages: two young boys under the age of six were sitting on the stage, patiently reading books while waiting for the show to start, while a gentleman in his 50s was spotted perusing the merch table before making his way to the center of the crowd.

There were two men who moshed, but that was quickly quelled by the wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder audience, who mainly stood in place, heads nodding in time and singing along to every song.

Le Butcherettes opened the show, a band seemingly unknown to many in the crowd. By their third number, they won over the audience, who applauded resoundingly after each song finished. This band is quirky and jerky, labeled as garage punk, but offers much more than that designation implies. Backed by the heavy pounding of drummer Chris Common and the fuzzy bass of Jamie Aaron Aux, singer/keyboardist/guitarist Teri Gender Bender’s vocals–similar to those of Björk and Siouxsie Sioux–add an extra and intricate dimension to the band’s sound.

 

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The Melvins
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Le Butcherettes
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The Firebird
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About The Author

Colleen was always the kid with the camera, taking snapshots of anything and everything she found interesting. Fast-forward to her teen years, where she spent much spare time and money on seeing as many live rock 'n roll acts as possible, both established and up-and-coming bands, and having a camera in hand. Colleen works to capture those moments that draw the viewer in and define the mood and energy of the artists and their performances.